Tigers Finish Home Season

The Tigers penultimate game of the season and last home game of the season ended in a 1-1 draw with play-off hopefuls Preston North End. Preston scored both goals but City won’t mind as they continued their recent good form in the league.

City made only one change to the side with Kevin Ellison coming into the side to replace Billy Paynter.

The game started slowly with both sides struggling to break each other down. Any time either team got into the opposition’s last third, the attack was dealt with effectively making for a tense opening to the game.

The first effort on goal came just before twenty minutes when Preston midfielder Simon Whaley shot wide of Myhill’s post.

A minute later City had their first chance but Delaney headed wide of the goal when he had found space at the near post from Roger’s corner.

Ellison went close with a header but wasn’t able to get a good connection on the cross. Two minutes later and City were behind.

A long ball from the Preston defence was allowed to bounce by Damien Delaney in the City defence. Whaley was allowed to get around Delaney for the ball and struck a first-time half volley past Myhill into the corner of the net.

Defender’s can’t let the ball bounce and Damien will certainly have learnt from this lesson.

City tried to fight back and Ellison’s header from the edge of the box went wide after Nash’s poor clearance had left him out of position.

Jon Parkin was the next City player to go close. Good work by Fagan provided Parkin with the perfect opportunity but he struck his volley into the ground before it went over Nash’s goal.

Fagan was then fouled on the edge of the box and from the resulting free-kick the Tigers leveled. Green’s delivery went into a crowd of players and after a melee the ball ended up in the back of the net. With no City player’s claiming the goal, it must have been an own goal from Preston North End.

The Tigers deservedly went in level at half-time.

Preston came out after the break looking for the goal. A succession of corners were forced but were dealt with easily by the Tigers defence.

Striker Danny Dichio had a good chance but struck his effort straight into the arms of Myhill.

Just after the hour mark, Daryl Duffy was brought on to replace Craig Fagan.

Jon Parkin had the next chance but fired his shot straight at Nash after good work on the right wing from John Welsh.

Keith Andrews tried a quick free-kick routine fifteen minutes from time but his effort, although it caught Preston off-guard went wide of the post.

Daryl Duffy was the next to have chances. Firstly, he shot wide of the post after Green’s corner then after a poor back-pass by Mawene he couldn’t chip the on rushing Nash.

The last chance of the game fell to Simon Whaley but his effort was stopped well by Myhill.

Neither side could create any more chances and the Tigers secured a third consecutive draw and finished off their home season.

Player Ratings

Bo Myhill – 7
Couldn’t do anything with the goal and did well when called upon.

Scott Wiseman – 6
A slightly better performance but he can’t pass the ball. If he can improve this and get stronger, he might be a Championship player. Has to be loaned out.

Alan Rogers – 8
Great performance from the battling defender and someone Taylor must strive to sign.

Leon Cort – 7
Kept the threat of Dichio quiet but wasn’t effective going forward at corners and set-pieces. Another good game all-round.

Damien Delaney – 6
Was at fault for the goal but he will learn. It was the only error we made all day and unfortunately it cost us but did well otherwise.

John Welsh – 7
A good battling performance and good to see him back in the middle of the park.

Keith Andrews – 6
A steady game but at occasions let Preston have too much of the ball without being pressured.

Kevin Ellison – 6
Tried hard but didn’t provide too much of a cutting edge. Looked very tired late on and was substituted.

Stuart Green – 7
Not as good as recent performances but did okay. Wasn’t able to break down the opposition but no-one in a City shirt really did.

Jon Parkin – 7
Did better at holding the ball up against Mawene but looked tired late on and needs a long rest.

Craig Fagan – 6
Didn’t cause as many problems for defences as he usually does. Was substituted for Duffy and didn’t look too happy about it.

Daryl Duffy – 7
Half an hour to influence the game and looked sharper than recent performances. Two good chances but couldn’t take them.

Billy Paynter – N/A
No real time to influence the game or give a rating.

Manager Rating
7 – Got the team to show more desire than they did against Burnley. He set his team out to win the game and gave a play-off hopeful team a game. Things could look good for next season.

Opponent Rating
6 – Has a team that plays well without any real star players. Unfortunately for Preston, I think the other play-off teams look stronger but they seem to be the form team out of the four.